Dyspareunia & Vaginismus – Painful Sex

Dyspareunia is referred to as painful intercourse. Both men and
women can experience pain during intercourse but it is more common among
women. In women there are variety of factors such as yeast infection,
bacterial, and trichomoniasis infections that cause inflammation of the
vaginal wall and cause vaginal discomfort during intercourse.

Discomfort
intercourse is commonly cause by insufficient lubrication and arousal.
Intercourse with insufficient lubrication can irritate the vaginal wall
and increase the risk of other vaginal infections. Lubricants jelly
can be used temporary to allow for more comfortable intercourse and to
ease some of the pain. Women who frequently experience insufficient
arousal and lubrication as a result of insufficient hormone can seek
medical help from physicians.

The use of contraceptive cream,
condoms, and diaphragms may also cause dyspareunia in some women. Some
women may experience pain at the opening of the vagina caused by intact
or ruptured hymen. Inflammation of the bladder wall can also cause
severe pain during intercourse.

Some women may also experience a
condition known as vulvar vestibulitis syndrome, which cause severe pain
at the entrance of the vagina. Smegma collected under the clitoral
hood may also cause pain during sexual stimulation or moving the hood.
This can be prevented by gently washing the clitoris and the hood during
bath or shower.

Some women with dyspareunia also experience
pelvic pain during intercourse which is cause by stretching of the
uterine ligaments. The pain is usually caused by assuming certain
sexual positions or during certain times in the menstrual cycle. The
pain can be prevented by avoiding such position and taking control of
pelvic movement during intercourse.

Another condition that caused
deep pelvic pain is endometriosis in which tissue that normally grows on
the wall of the uterus gets implanted on different part of the
abdominal cavity. The extra tissues prevent free movement of the
internal organs and cause pain during intercourse. Birth control pill
can be used to prevent the buildup of extra tissues during the monthly
cycle.

Gonorrhea
infection in the uterus can also cause dyspareunia. Gonorrhea
infection is usually accompanied by pelvic pain and caused scar tissue
to develop. The buildup of scar tissue can be treated effectively with
surgery.

Some men also experience painful intercourse but it is
less common compare to women. Some uncircumcised men have tight
foreskin that can be painful during erection and this can be treated
with minor surgery. Smegma accumulated under the foreskin of
uncircumcised men can cause infections and irritation of the glans
during sexual stimulation. This can be prevented by having good hygiene
and properly washing the glans and foreskin with soap and water.

Another
painful condition experience by some men is Peyronie’s disease in which
fibrous tissue and calcium deposits in the penis. This can cause pain
during erection and it can also cause erection problems that interfere
with the man’s ability to have sexual intercourse.

Vaginismus

Vaginismus
occurs as a result of involuntary contraction of the pelvic muscle
surrounding the vagina. The contraction is so strong that an attempt to
insert a penis or a finger into the vagina can be extremely painful for
women. Some women who experience involuntary contraction are sexually
responsive to oral and manual stimulation and are capable of achieving
orgasm.

Some women also experience minor form of involuntary
contraction that can be unpleasant and interfere with her sexual
interest. Women with lack of sexual interest can cause problems in her
sexual relationship. Some of the factors that caused vaginismus may
include painful intercourse, physical or sexual assault, feelings of
hostility or fear towards a partner.

Some women become too anxious
that the pain will occur during the next attempt to have intercourse
and this anxious feeling increases the likelihood of her experiencing
involuntary muscle contraction. An attempt to overcome the problem by
having intercourse with the presence of pain will only make the
situation worse and cause the cycle to repeat itself. Women who
experience physical pain from vaginismus can learn to prevent the
contraction with the help of Kegel exercises and vaginal dilation
exercises that can be performed under the direction of a sex therapist.